Control system for a dishwasher

ABSTRACT

A control system for a dishwasher includes an input device operable to select a wash cycle from a plurality of wash cycles. The input device has a control panel area including a display device, and a plurality of input elements. At least one of the plurality of input elements is operable to select a soil level. A controller is provided, the controller being configured to control cycle parameters and to preselect, based on a selected soil level, a basic wash cycle from a plurality of wash cycles, and to offer different additional cycle options associated with the basic wash cycle based on the selected soil level.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

Priority is claimed to German patent application DE 10 2007 029 502.4, filed Jun. 25, 2007, which is hereby incorporated by reference herein.

FIELD

The present invention relates to a control system for a dishwasher, including an input device for selecting a wash cycle from a plurality of possible wash cycles, and a controller for controlling cycle parameters.

BACKGROUND

German Patent Document DE 100 57 210 A1 describes a method for automatically controlling the washing process in a dishwasher. In this method, the user can preselect the soil level of the dishes, after which the cycle controller takes over control of the wash cycle, taking into account the aforesaid control input. The cycle controller can control the wash cycle to be performed automatically, possibly as a function of further sensor signals. As a result the sensor signals for determining the further cycle parameters sometimes provide only a poor indication of the current soil level of the dishes. For example, a low turbidity level of the wash water may either suggest that the dishes are relatively clean or be an indication of firmly adhering soils that have not yet been removed from the dishes. Therefore, it is problematic to perform a wash cycle automatically.

There are also control systems for dishwashers that allow a user to manually select a suitable wash cycle from a plurality of possible wash cycles. However, since cycle parameters, such as temperature, wash cycle duration, additional sub-cycles such as prewash, wash, rinse, etc., must be specified together with a wash cycle, the process of selecting from a plurality of wash cycles is perceived by the user as being complicated. Such a control concept with many switches and options for selection is not accepted by the customer.

SUMMARY

In view of the above, an aspect of the present invention is to provide a dishwasher control system which is easy to use and capable of performing a plurality of possible wash cycles including various cycle parameters.

The present invention provides a control system for a dishwasher including an input device operable to select a wash cycle from a plurality of wash cycles. The input device has a control panel area including a display device, and a plurality of input elements. At least one of the plurality of input elements is operable to select a soil level. A controller is provided, the controller being configured to control cycle parameters and to preselect, based on a selected soil level, a basic wash cycle from a plurality of wash cycles, and to offer different additional cycle options associated with the basic wash cycle based on the selected soil level.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

An exemplary embodiment of the present invention will be described in more detail below and is schematically shown in the drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 shows a dishwasher control panel for a control system according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a view of the control panel showing a light soil level;

FIG. 3 is a view of the control panel showing a normal soil level;

FIG. 4 is a view of the control panel showing a heavy soil level.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present invention provides a control system for a dishwasher, including an input device for selecting a wash cycle from a plurality of possible wash cycles, and a controller for controlling cycle parameters, such as the duration and temperature profile of individual sub-cycles; the input device including a control panel area containing at least one display means and input elements; at least one input element allowing selection of a soil level; and the entry of a soil level causing a basic wash cycle to be preselected from a plurality of possible wash cycles, after which additional cycle options which are dependent on the soil level can be associated with said basic wash cycle.

In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, different cycle options will be offered depending on the selected soil level and the basic wash cycle thereby selected. Thus, the user no longer has to make a selection from a large number of wash cycles and associated cycle parameters. Instead, by selecting a soil level setting, the user can make a preselection, which significantly increases the ease-of-use. This is because the user can visually determine the soil level, and then only has to decide on the priorities to be selected with respect to the other cycle options. This type of user guidance is perceived as pleasant and does not eliminate the convenience provided by having available a large number of possible wash cycles.

In an embodiment of the present invention, there are provided a first input for selecting the soil level and second input for the cycle options. Using the first and second inputs, the programming of wash cycle settings can be done with acceptable effort. The soil level may be divided into at least three ranges, or alternatively and more finely into six or nine ranges. The soil level can be selected using a plus button and a minus button. Moreover, there may be provided three input buttons as the second input for the cycle options in order to make operation as easy as possible. The user may be assisted by a display which displays the selected soil level setting as well as further parameters. Advantageously, a multi-line LCD display is used to allow for a wide variety of display options. In order to enable a clear representation, the soil level can be displayed as a graphical bar in an upper line of the display. For the same reason, the cycle options can be displayed in a lower line of the display, and the second input can be arranged below the display. Also provided may be an information button which allows technical information about the selected wash cycle to be displayed on the display.

In order to prevent inappropriate settings, the selected soil level setting, and thus the selected basic wash cycle, can be corrected during the course of a wash cycle by means of soil level data acquired by a sensor.

FIG. 1 shows the control panel 1 of a dishwasher. The control panel includes a control panel area 2 in which there is disposed a display in the form of an LCD display 3. Display 3 is surrounded on the sides and underneath by a plurality of input elements in the form of buttons 11 through 19. Display 3 and buttons 11 through 19 are connected to a controller 4 located on the rear side of the control panel. This controller is not directly visible in FIG. 1, but symbolized by a dashed-line box.

To allow selection of the soil level of the dishes, a minus button 11 is provided to the left of display 3, and a plus button 12 is provided to the right of display 3. An indicator in the form of a graphical bar 20 for displaying the soil level extends within display 3 between buttons 11 and 12. The graph is divided into a total of nine segments 21 through 29, which are combined into groups of three, each group being uniformly colored. The left group (segments 21 through 23) symbolizes a light soil level, the middle group (segments 24 through 26) symbolizes a medium soil level, and the right group (segments 27 through 29) symbolizes a heavy soil level. Pressing plus button 12 once will cause the color of the segment 21 to assume a darker shade. Repeated pressing of this button will cause the darker color shade to move to the right, so that the selected soil level is increased (see FIGS. 2 through 4). When pressing minus button 11, the darkened area moves to the left, as a result of which the soil level is decreased.

Then, depending on the selected soil level setting, a basic wash cycle is preselected which is adapted to the selected soil level.

Located underneath display 3 are three buttons 13 through 15 which allow selection of further cycle options for the selected wash cycle. A feature of the present invention is that, depending on the selected soil level and the basic wash cycle thereby selected, different cycle options will be offered for selection. In this process, the control system of the present invention selects a subset (here three) of cycle options from a plurality of possible cycle options, and offers said subset to the user for further selection, taking into account that only certain options are suitable for the different basic wash cycles (soil levels), respectively. Options that are suitable and are therefore available for selection will at any one time be displayed in the lower line 30 of display 3 in three areas 31 through 33.

Control panel area 2 further contains a button 16 having a delay start function, and a button 17 for starting the selected wash cycle. In addition, control panel area 2 contains a button 18 for activating and deactivating the dishwasher. The user may obtain further information on the selected and/or displayed wash cycles, if needed, by actuating a button 19, which will cause the display to switch from the above-described display mode to a textual display mode, in which additional information is displayed to the user.

Middle section 40 of display 3 serves to indicate the remaining cycle time, but may also contain other information and explanations.

In FIG. 2, display 3 is shown in a state where a light soil level, here segment 22, has been selected from the left group using buttons 11 and/or 12. Thus, a wash cycle is selected that is adapted to this soil level. The selected wash cycle is a cycle whose operation is controlled by a turbidity sensor (not shown) and which is varied as a function of the turbidity levels measured by this sensor. This wash cycle has three to five short wash steps in the wash portion of the cycle, and a maximum temperature of 50° C. Based on the preceding selection of a light soil level from this group, the cycle option “Gentle” is offered in lower line 30 in left area 31 and assigned to button 13, while the option “Rapid” is offered in middle area 32 and assigned to button 14, and the option “Night” is offered in right area 33 and assigned to button 15. When activating the option “Gentle” (button 13), the temperature during the wash and rinse portions of a wash cycle is reduced, when activating the option “Rapid” (button 14), the washing and drying times are reduced by up to 15 min, and when activating the option “Night” (button 15), the wash pressure is decreased by reducing the speed of the circulating pump and the duration of the wash portion of the cycle is increased. Changing the soil level setting within the left group to segment 21 or segment 23 would not produce any change in the available cycle options, but would change the basic wash cycle, for example, to increase or reduce the duration of the wash portion of the cycle and/or to increase the temperature of the liquid. In this connection, it is irrelevant whether the term “basic wash cycle” is used to jointly refer to the three similar wash cycles of one group, which differ only in duration, or whether “basic wash cycle” is used to refer to the individual wash cycle associated with a particular selectable soil level setting. It will be appreciated that, alternatively or additionally, the wash cycles of one group may also differ in other parameters.

Referring to the display shown in FIG. 3, the user has selected a normal or medium soil level, namely segment 25 of the middle group. The wash cycle thus selected is a cycle whose operation is also controlled by a turbidity sensor and which is varied as a function of the turbidity levels measured by this sensor. This wash cycle has three to five wash steps of medium duration in the wash portion of the cycle, and a maximum temperature of 60° C. Lower line 30 offers the cycle options “Rapid” (area 31), “Economy” (area 32), and “Night” (area 33). The user can effect the corresponding wash cycle diversification by pressing the buttons 13, 14 or 15. When activating the option “Rapid” (button 13), the washing and drying times are reduced by up to 30 min, and the liquid temperature during washing and rinsing is increased. When activating the option “Economy” (button 14), the energy consumption is reduced by reducing the liquid temperature during washing and rinsing. To compensate for this, the durations of the washing and drying operations are increased. When activating the option “Night” (button 15), the wash pressure is decreased by reducing the speed of the circulating pump and the duration of the wash portion of the cycle is increased, as has been described hereinbefore, and, in addition, the duration of the rinse portion of the cycle is increased.

In FIG. 4, the display is shown in a state where the user has selected segment 28, and thus a heavy soil level, from the right group. The wash cycle thus selected is a cycle whose operation is also controlled by a turbidity sensor and which is varied as a function of the turbidity levels measured by this sensor. This wash cycle has three to five long wash steps in the wash portion of the cycle, and a maximum temperature of 68° C. Accordingly, the cycle options offered are “Sanitize” (area 31), “Intensive” (area 32), and “Night” (area 33). When activating the option “Sanitize” (button 13), the liquid temperature during washing is increased to 69° C. and maintained at that level for at least 10 minutes. When activating the option “Intensive” (button 14), the wash pressure is increased. When activating the option “Night” (button 15), the wash pressure is decreased by reducing the speed of the circulating pump and the duration of the wash portion of the cycle is increased, as has been described hereinbefore.

The cycle “Night” can be selected with all soil level settings because the user may wish to ensure a particularly low noise level during the dishwashing process. In this cycle, the pump delivery rate is reduced to a low value and the wash cycle duration is correspondingly increased. The remaining wash cycle diversifications, which result from the different soil levels, are, of course, retained.

After the wash cycle has been selected, a dishwashing operation is carried out; the wash parameters, such as the duration, intensity and temperature profile of individual sub-cycles, being preselected by control system 4, after which a wash cycle including the individual sub-cycles is carried out. The parameters are changed as a function of data (loading condition, turbidity of the liquid, etc.) which is acquired by sensors and as a function of the preselected cycle options. In the process, the selected soil level setting can be used to interpret the values measured by a turbidity sensor. For example, if the soil level is set to high and all measured turbidity levels are low, this may be an indication of firmly adhering soils that have not yet been removed. Control system 4 will adapt the duration and intensity of the wash cycle accordingly.

Moreover, by selecting a soil level, the user can “adjust” the parameters: a person who finds fault with even the smallest soil residues will tend to select higher soil level settings than a customer who is satisfied with less perfect washing results. 

1. A control system for a dishwasher comprising: an input device operable to select a wash cycle from a plurality of wash cycles, the input device having a control panel area including: a display device; and a plurality of input elements, at least one of the plurality of input elements being operable to select a soil level; and a controller configured to control cycle parameters and to preselect, based on a selected soil level, a basic wash cycle from a plurality of wash cycles, and to offer different additional cycle options associated with the basic wash cycle based on the selected soil level.
 2. The control system as recited in claim 1 wherein the cycle parameters include at least one of a duration and a temperature profile of individual sub-cycles.
 3. The control system as recited in claim 1 wherein the plurality of input elements include a second input element operable to select cycle options.
 4. The control system as recited in claim 1 wherein the soil level is divided into at least three ranges.
 5. The control system as recited in claim 4 wherein the soil level is divided into six ranges.
 6. The control system as recited in claim 4 wherein the soil level is divided into nine ranges.
 7. The control system as recited in claim 1 wherein the at least one of the plurality of input elements includes a plus button and a minus button.
 8. The control system as recited in claim 1 wherein the plurality of input elements include first, second and third input buttons operable to select cycle options.
 9. The control system as recited in claim 3 wherein the plurality of input elements include first, second and third input buttons operable to select cycle options.
 10. The control system as recited in claim 7 wherein the plurality of input elements include first, second and third input buttons operable to select cycle options.
 11. The control system as recited in claim 1 wherein the display is configured to display device the selected soil level and a selection of further parameters.
 12. The control system as recited in claim 1 wherein the display device includes a multi-line LCD display.
 13. The control system as recited in claim 11 wherein the display device includes a multi-line LCD display.
 14. The control system as recited in claim 1 wherein the display device is configured to display the selected soil level as a graphical bar in an upper line thereof.
 15. The control system as recited in claim 11 wherein the display device is configured to display the soil level as a graphical bar in an upper line thereof.
 16. The control system as recited in claim 13 wherein the display device is configured to display the soil level as a graphical bar in an upper line thereof.
 17. The control system as recited in claim 3 wherein the display device is configured to display the cycle options in a lower line thereof, and wherein the second input is disposed below the display.
 18. The control system as recited in claim 3 wherein the display device includes a multi-line LCD display configured to display the cycle options in a lower line thereof, and wherein the second input is disposed below the display.
 19. The control system as recited in claim 1 wherein the plurality of input elements includes an information button operable to display technical information about a selected wash cycle on the display.
 20. The control system as recited in claim 1 further comprising a sensor configured to acquire soil level data, and wherein the control system is configured to correct the soil level and associated basic wash cycle during a wash cycle according to the soil level data. 